Sunday School is a vital part of any ministry. In it one is able to experience a deeper knowledge of God’s Word. We here at “Word For Life Says” want to help you help others. Below you will find resources to help you prepare for your upcoming lessons. May God bless you.

March 10, 2013

In our lesson today, Daniel is praying and confessing the sins of his country, his forefathers and the nation as a whole. Everyone was included in this prayer of confession (v. 8). He realized that his people were currently in captivity and scattered because of their sins. During his studies, he also realized that the time for captivity to be over was coming soon. Knowing this he went before God with a deeply humble heart, praying and confessing their faults before Him.

Our lesson today really hones in the fact that sin separates God’s children from Him and His promises. Daniel admitted that the people are covenant people. God had established a special relationship with special inherited promises through Abraham, Issac and Jacob. Yet, all of that didn’t matter because the people refused to live up to their part of the covenant. Daniel said, “Neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets,” (Daniel 9:10).

Over and over again Daniel laid out their wrongs: we have sinned – have committed iniquity – have done wickedly – have rebelled – departing from thy precepts and judgments (v. 5); to us belong confusion of face (shame) (v. 8); all Israel have transgressed thy law – the curse if poured upon us – because we have sinned against him (v. 11); we made not our prayer before the Lord our God (v. 13); for we obeyed not his voice (v. 14).

Then, he pointed out God’s righteousness: the great and dreadful God keeping the covenant and mercy to them that keep his commandments (v. 4); O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee (v. 7); to the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses (v. 9); for the Lord our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth (v. 14).

Though the people don’t deserve it, Daniel is depending on God’s “mercies and forgivenesses (v.9). “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name (v. 19, not in today’s lesson).

Sin is wrong in any sense of the word. Confession seeks reconciliation with the Lord. God’s mercies are what restores the sinner back to Him. “Daniel’s Prayer of Confession” should provoke us to take a closer look at our own lives. Confess any necessary sins and seek reconciliation with God so that the covenant relationship we have with Him can be restored.

Below you will find a multitude of resources, any of which will fit nicely with today’s lesson. Let’s pass this important truth along to our students so that they can learn how to properly nurture their own relationship with God. One that is filled with diligent prayer and study. And, when one finds a fault, admit to the wrong as Daniel did so that God can restore and bless with mercy and forgiveness.